Current Issue

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Water Stewardship in a Changing Climate: Water quality and availability are threatened by a changing climate, leading to concerns about human health, biodiversity, and economic development. The effects of climate change on our water resources need to be understood and actions implemented that minimize the risk, and maximize the benefits of change. Students are strongly encouraged to visit the Pennsylvania Envirothon Current Issue page to obtain a detailed outline for preparing for this topic; particularly while preparing for the oral component at the state competition. In order to be successful, students should be able to:

Understand how changes in climate will influence both the quantity and quality of water available to human and ecological systems.
Understand the science and modeling of climate change, and describe potential impacts on water resources.
Discuss water stewardship actions that could be undertaken how in anticipation of climate change impacts on water resources.

Water Stewardship in a Changing Climate

The links provided below* will help Envirothon participants prepare, however, be sure to "link around" to find additional useful information. To provide an all inclusive list of water stewardship resources would be overwhelming, therefore, only the most pertinent links are provided.

Reference Material List

Energy, Health and the Environment

How energy choices affect our health and the environment, Required - p. 137 Chart - Air Pollution's Heavy Hitters

Climate Change and Pennsylvania--EPA Fact Sheet

Global Warming and Our Changing Climate Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) home page

EPA Global Warming site:

Climate
Emissions
Impacts
- Water Resources:
- Forests
- Non-tidal Wetlands
- Agriculture
  - Influencing Factors
- Fisheries
  - Inland Fisheries
- Birds
- State Impacts--Pennsylvania

Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region -- Impacts on Our Communities and Ecosystems

Water -- Vulnerable to Climate Change -- Environment Canada

Climate Change and Pennsylvania Agriculture -- Penn State Farm Economics

Impacts of Climate Change in the United States -- Forests

DEP Fact Sheets:

Global Environment climate policy Climate Stewardship Act -- Union of Concerned Scientists

* These resources are provided by the Pennsylvania State Envirothon's Current Issue Resource CD. When possible, resources were link to their original source, however, the size or absence of some of the originals made it necessary to place the resources within the Water Resource Center website. These are not resources developed by the Center, but rather the Pennsylvania Envirothon or other organizations. Please visit http://www.envirothonpa.org/currentIssue.shtml for an outline of the Current Issue content and learning objectives.

Keystone College Willary Water Resource Center